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Formosa Cafe

7156 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, California 90046 USA

697 Reviews
$$
Reasonable
Open Now
Thu 12p-12a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Outdoor
    Seating
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Learn more about this business on Yelp.

“an old hollywood hangout”

The Formosa Cafe is a restaurant and bar located at 7156 Santa Monica Boulevard at Formosa Avenue, in West Hollywood, California. The cafe has a long history of movie star and film industry patronage due to of its close proximity to movie studios.The Formosa was founded in 1925 by 1920s prize-fighter Jimmy Bernstein. Bernstein operated his establishment initially in a Red Car trolley located just east of The Lot Studio. In 1945, Lem Quon went into partnership with Bernstein, taking full ownership in 1976 when Berstein died. The restaurant remains in the family with Quom's grandson, Vince Jung, managing it. Generations of movie stars such as Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable have eaten meals at The Formosa. Frank Sinatra is reputed to have spent many nights at the Formosa in the 1950s, pining over Ava Gardner. In the 1990s, the restaurant was threatened with demolition when its lease expired as plans evolved for what would become the The Lot shopping center. Due to concerted citizen and preservationist efforts, the restaurant was preserved in its present location as a landmark. The cuisine served at Formosa is Chinese and celebrity sightings there are still common. The interior and exterior of the Formosa Cafe can be seen in the movie L.A. Confidential. Other movies shot here include The Majestic starring Jim Carrey and Still Breathing starring Brendan Fraiser. In Still Breathing, Fraser's character has recurring dreams of meeting his future wife in "Formosa".

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Photo of Michelle Z.

Reviewed by
Michelle Z.

Had an incredible experience here for dinner! Made a date night reservation but we were around 40 mins late to our reservation and were so worried we wouldn't be able to get seated, but we were... Read more

Photo of Tom D.

Reviewed by
Tom D.

We were really looking forward to finally trying this LA staple. Unfortunately, our experience wasn't great. We were seated in the trolley car, which was super cool. We ordered our food, egg... Read more

Photo of Bita H.

Reviewed by
Bita H.

Really cute on the inside - immediately makes you feel like you're entering the old days of Hollywood. We got there in time for their Golden Hour happy hour and the restaurant was fairly empty. We... Read more

Formosa Cafe

7156 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, California
90046 USA
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Hours

Open now until 12:00 am
  • Sun - Wed: 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
  • Thu - Sat: 12:00 pm - 12:00 am

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  • Check
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
  • Unknown
    Restrooms
  • Unavailable
    Wifi
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    Wheelchair Accessible
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    Credit Cards Accepted
Reservations
Takes
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    Bar
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    Brunch
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    Coffee
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    Dinner
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    Drinks
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    Dine In
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    Breakfast
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    Waitstaff
  • Unavailable
    Drive Through
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    Outdoor Seating
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Parking, Dining

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